In 2026, Great Basin National Park celebrates its 40th anniversary — a milestone shaped by decades of scientific research, stewardship, and community passion. To honor this legacy and expand access to the stories that make the Park extraordinary, Great Basin National Park Foundation is launching a monthly Virtual Speaker Series.
Whether you’re a longtime Park enthusiast and explorer, or someone discovering Great Basin National Park for the first time, the series will offer a unique opportunity to see the Park through new perspectives.
Schedule of Events:
- Tuesday, April 21, 6 p.m. - Water Warriors
Writer Michael Branch will share the story of how a colorful and diverse underdog alliance of rural Nevadans won a monumental battle in the water wars of the west — and helped safeguard water essential to life within the Great Basin region. - Tuesday, May 12, 5 p.m. - The Story of Great Basin National Park's Designation
Hear from important players who helped make the dream of the Park a reality — though political resolve and decades of hard work, turning an unlikely vision into a national treasure. - Tuesday, June 2, 6 p.m. - National Cave and Karst Week at Great Basin
Dive underground with Park experts to explore how Great Basin National Park's subterranean wonders have shaped — and been shaped by — science, stewardship, and community engagement over four decades. - Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m. - Great Basin's Dark Skies and the Great Basin Observatory
Celebrate two milestones at Great Basin: the 40th anniversary of Great Basin National Park and the 10th anniversary of the Great Basin Observatory, the only research-grade observatory located in a U.S. national park! Explore the Park’s remarkable dark skies — and learn how the observatory came to be and how astronomy enthusiasts can get involved. - Wednesday, August 12, 6 p.m. - Dark Skies, Bright Minds: Great Basin Observatory Research and Impact
Ten years ago, the Great Basin Observatory captured its first light. In this program, students who have used the GBO for research — along with professors from the University of Nevada, Reno and Southern Utah University — will highlight how the GBO supports astronomy research, student learning, and dark sky preservation in the Great Basin.
Great Basin National Park 40th Anniversary Virtual Speaker Series
monthly through Wednesday, August 12, 2026
various times
FREE
Virtual via Zoom (registration required)
